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First graders give the gift of love

Some first graders at Edison Elementary are giving their parents a unique Christmas present this year the sound of their own voices telling their parents all the reasons why they love them.

Along the way, the children are also gaining valuable reading practice and learning how to use technology, said teacher Kaley Chick.

“We have been using QR codes frequently this year as a way to research different topics, quick links to specific websites, and to access online books,” Chick said. “(Last week), as part of their Christmas presents for their parents, they had to explain why they love their moms and dads.

“At first, they dictated the story to me and I typed up what they had said. Then I gave them printed copies for them to practice reading. After they could read them fluently, we made an audio recording of them reading the story out loud. I then took the audio recordings and created QR codes to put directly into their projects. That way, moms and dads will not only have a written copy (of the) project showing how much their kiddos love them, but they will have access to an audio recording of their child, which is even cuter in their six- and seven-year-old voices!”

First grader Lucy Hale wrote that she loves her mom and dad because “My dad tucks me in every weekend because he doesn’t have work and my mom tucks me in on school days. My mom makes dinner for me. She makes really good peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. We have pizza night every Wednesday. My dad and I play fishing with my fishing poles. They have magnetic fish. My mom and I bake bread, especially nut bread.”

First grader Ava Thuner wrote that she loves her mom and dad because “My mom makes me smoothies. They take me to school in the morning. They love me. My dad works for money for our family. I like to play with them. We play out in the snow or board games. My dad carries me. I love them.”

Chick said the QR codes are a way to direct her students quickly and safely to a webpage where they can get information for something they are studying. With the QR codes, Chick doesn’t have to worry that the children will be misdirected to an inappropriate website.

“My goal for this was to have my students become familiar with technology and to do so in a way that was meaningful for them and their families as well,” said Chick.

She has asked students before to write down what they love about their parents before Christmas, but this was the first year she incorporated the QR codes.

It also helped the children practice their reading skills, since they had to practice reading aloud what they had written multiple times. That helped with reading fluency and word recognition, said Chick.

None of the kids questioned the extra rehearsal.

“They knew they were practicing for their big recording,” said Chick.

The children loved the assignment so much that they wanted to listen to what their classmates recorded about their moms and dads too.

“We had a gallery time for them to walk around and view and listen to each others’ projects,” said Chick.

Chick said she plans to continue using QR codes in the classroom.

“All 23 of my firstgrade students really enjoyed this project and we can’t wait to keep using QR codes again for research, attaching oral explanations to projects, and for reviewing books in our school and classroom libraries for others to listen to,” said Chick.

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